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Synonyms

worthwhile

American  
[wurth-hwahyl, -wahyl] / ˈwɜrθˈʰwaɪl, -ˈwaɪl /

adjective

  1. such as to repay one's time, attention, interest, work, trouble, etc..

    a worthwhile book.
    Synonyms:
    beneficial, rewarding, valuable
worthwhile British  
/ ˌwɜːθˈwaɪl /

adjective

  1. sufficiently important, rewarding, or valuable to justify time or effort spent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • worthwhileness noun

Etymology

Origin of worthwhile

First recorded in 1865–70; worth 1 + while

Explanation

Things that are worthwhile are good — they're worth the time or money you spend on them. If you walked out of the theater and said "Wow, I'm glad I saw that movie!", then your film viewing trip was worthwhile. If going to the gym helped you get in better shape, it was worthwhile. If hanging out in the park made you happy, it was worthwhile. If something is a total waste of time and you wish you hadn't done it, then it wasn't worthwhile.

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Vocabulary lists containing worthwhile

Because of Mr. Terupt

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List 9

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"The Ugly One," Vocabulary from Chapters 21-25

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The gaming platform said that the move would be worthwhile over the long haul.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

But it was worthwhile because it was a high-stakes, Level 7 decision.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

That education by osmosis is part of what makes traveling seven to 12 days a month worthwhile as a young dad with a 4-year-old and 9-month-old at home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier told the BBC a "small bit of economic pain" was worthwhile for long-term international security.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

He has started sketches and studies for an oil painting he thinks just might be worthwhile.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.